So are you going to get rid of the animals?

Pregnancy brings out all kinds of question and answer sessions with people.

A question that brings out the rebellious mosh pit teenager in me, “So are you going to get rid of the animals?” or “What are you going to do with ALL those animals when you have a kid?”

My answer “Yes, and we plan on eating them for dinner!”

Come on. Really? What kind of small talk conversation is that?

But let’s be honest. What kind of person would I be if I gave my word to these animals only to throw them on the street. What would I be teaching my child about loving all things God created if I saw these wonderful beings as disposable like they were some toy that had been replaced by a better toy?

Another way it is phrased is “Once you have a kid, you won’t have time for them.” Ummm, we have 8 animals, they hang out with each other. Seriously how much time do you think they all get? Do you not realize that I work 6 or 7 days a week. And work aside, my dogs are treated as a pack. Yes, I will spend individual time with them, but they are a pack. Would it be inappropriate of me to take walks after the baby is born to get back into shape? No. So if after the baby is here, I would be socially allowed to walk to get back in shape, I should be allowed to carve the same time to walk the dogs.

As far as the cats go, cats don’t take much time. Give them some sunshine or a radiator and they are happy-happy.

So, NO we are not getting rid of our animals.

Next response that people think is awesome to say. “I bet you will have child with allergies.” And we might. We will cross that bridge when we get there . Of course my child’s healthy and safety will come first, just as my Husband’s come before the animals. But why say that, why try to curse us?

And the final lovely phrase is “Your pets will soon be downgraded from children to pets.” That is a HUGE and BOLD assumption that we saw our animals as our children. Ummm…. no. They are a companion, not my child. And further more, even if I did see them that way, I was dealing with infertilty for three years with the assumption that I might not have a child. This statement is so ignorant of who Scott and I are as people, I really can’t even being to address this in a blog post without coming across as angry and rude.

So here is my Public Service Announcement: Back off the judgements. I realize we have a lot of animals. And that may not be the kind of life you would like to lead, but it is the life that we find a blessing. Please step off our choice to share our life with animals.

But we are taking steps to prepare our home for all of the two and four legged creatures. I will be writing posts on how we will be preparing for the baby in a home with animals to ensure the healthy and safety of the baby.